Ankle treating apparatus and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling. The apparatus includes the strategically located pressure imparting pads which are applied over the ankle of the user in a manner to provide focused anterior pain relieving pressure to the ankle. The apparatus when in place about the users ankle, permits substantially full ankle function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus fortreating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling. Moreparticularly, the invention concerns a method in which two strategicallylocated pads are applied over the front of the ankle of the patient anda focused, anterior compression is applied to the pads to provideimmediate relief of ankle pain.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

The prior art is replete with various types of methods and apparatus tosupport the ankle, both to prevent ankle sprains and to protect theankle during rehabilitation from ankle sprains and other ankle injuries.A commonly used prior art technique for guarding against ankle sprainand for preventing reinjury of a sprained ankle is to tape the anklejoint in a manner to partially restrict movement of the ankle. Anothercommon prior art technique for protecting the ankle against injury is toprovide some type of structural ankle brace that is positioned over theankle in a manner to support the ankle.

Exemplary of a prior art structural type ankle brace is that disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,218 B1 issued to Ascherman. This device comprisesan in-the-shoe ankle brace that includes an anklebone cover and anadjustable fastening means for removably affixing the brace to theankle. Another type of ankle brace, or ankle support, is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,527,211 issued to Baker. The Baker ankle support isconstructed from two similar pieces of elastic material and includesjoints at the ankle region. The Baker support also includes an archmember and an encircling member that encircles the Achilles tendon.Elastic fastening means are provided for tightening the support aroundthe ankle.

Still another type of ankle support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,409,976 issued to Pence. This latter ankle support has a main bodyportion adapted to extend about the Achilles tendon of the foot alongthe inner and outer sides of the foot with the tongue portion andoverlapping first strap portion passing across the ankle to completelyencircle the ankle of the user. The Pence apparatus also includes astirrup portion that depends from the body portion so as to pass beneaththe arch and sole of the foot leaving the heel exposed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,628 issued to Wehr discloses an ankle encompassingpressure orthosis that is provided in the form of a custom fitted anklebrace comprised of anterior and posterior supports that are connectedtogether at their distal ends by pivot pins. An announced primary objectof the Wehr invention is to provide a custom fitted brace, which limitsinversion and eversion of the ankle and foot while allowing unhindereddorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle and foot.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,810 issued to Brossard discloses a method forcontrolling the reflex response of the muscles of the ankle joint. Anannounced object of the Brossard invention is to use a specificmechanical stimulation at an articulated body joint to increase thereflex response and therefore the efficiency of the muscles associatedto the joint and hence to prevent the joint muscles from becomingoversolicited and therefore to prevent the joint muscles from sufferingfrom repetitive motion syndromes.

As will be better understood from the discussion which follows, unlikethe prior art methods and apparatus, the method and apparatus of thepresent invention is directed specifically to treating ankle pain, anklesprains and ankle swelling by applying focused anterior compression onthe anterior/lateral margins of the ankle. Further, the apparatus of thepresent invention differs from the typical prior art ankle wraps andsupports, which typically provide circumferential compression to theankle. More particularly, unlike the prior art circumferential wraps andsupports, the compressive forces exerted by the apparatus of the presentinvention are uniquely focused to selected specific locations at thefront of the ankle, along the margins of the ankle, and proximate theanterior ankle mortise. In sharp contradiction to the prior art supportdevices which provide circumferential support but do not localizecompression to the anterior ankle mortise, the apparatus of the presentinvention provides a uniquely focused pain relieving compressive forcesto the anterior ankle. Similarly, the apparatus of the present inventiondiffers substantially from prior art structural type ankle braces, suchas those previously described herein, which are applied medially andlaterally with splinting in a stirrup fashion. Uniquely, the apparatusof the present invention allows for full ankle function, withoutimmobilizing the ankle during the time of treatment. In one form of thepresent invention, the ankle treating apparatus includes a pair ofgenerally oval shaped compressive pads which are applied directly overthe anterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise. Thesecompressive pads are preferably between about 1.5 inches and about 2.5inches in width and between about 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches in length.

Compression is applied to both of these pads at an angle of betweenabout 30° and about 45° by means of a uniquely configured split strapmeasuring about 15 inches in length and about 6 inches in width with acentered heel receiving opening for the receiving heel users.

In use, the two compressor pads are applied over the front of the ankle,with an anterior axis being between about 110 degrees and about 150degrees. The focused anterior compression provided by the strategicallypositioned compression pads allows for immediate relief of pain whichemanates from the anterior/medial and anterior/lateral margins of theankle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 2—2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the initial step inpositioning the apparatus about the patient's ankle.

FIG. 3A is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating a first relativepositioning of the pressure imparting pads of the device.

FIG. 3B is a generally diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 3A,illustrating a second relative positioning of the pressure impartingpads of the device.

FIG. 4 is a generally diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 3, but showing afurther step in positioning the device about the ankle of the patient.

FIG. 5 is a generally diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 4 furtherillustrating the positioning of the device about the patient's ankle.

FIG. 6 is front view of the apparatus as it appears in position aboutthe patient's ankle.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus as it appears in position aboutthe patient's ankle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of brief summary, one form of the apparatus of the presentinvention for attachment to the ankle of the user for treating anklepain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling of the user comprises anelongated strap having first and second ends and an apertured centralportion for receiving the heel of the user. Adjustably connected to thestrap between the first end and the apertured central portion thereofstrap is a first generally oval shaped pressure imparting pad andadjustably to the strap connected between a second end and the aperturedcentral portion thereof is a second generally oval shaped pressureimparting pad. Uniquely, the first and second pressure imparting padscan be adjustably connected to the strap in a manner such that thecentral axis of the second pad extends an angle of between about 110degrees and about 150 degrees relative to the central axis of the firstpad. With this construction, when the first and second ends of the strapare interconnected by the connector means of the invention, thecompression pads will focus pain relieving pressure at strategicallyselected locations on the ankle of the patient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of theaforementioned character in which two strategically located pressureimparting pads are applied over the ankle of the user in a manner toprovide focused anterior pain relieving pressure to the ankle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as describedin the preceding paragraph in which the apparatus, when in place aboutthe users ankle permits substantially full ankle function.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described which is readily adjustable and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is provide an apparatus as described inthe preceding paragraphs that is of simple construction, is durable inuse and one that can be inexpensively manufactured.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one formof the apparatus of the invention is there shown and generallydesignated by the numeral 14. In this embodiment of the invention theapparatus comprises a strap 16 having first and second ends 18 and 20respectively and an apertured heel receiving central portion 22. As bestseen in FIG. 1, a first intermediate portion 24 is located between firstend 18 and said central portion 22 and a second intermediate portion 26is located between second end 20 and central portion 22.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 first pressure imparting pad 30 isconnected to strap 16 proximate the first intermediate portions 24 and asecond pressure imparting pad 32 is adjustably connected to strap 16proximate the second intermediate portion 26. In a manner presently tobe described, first pressure imparting pad 30 is advantageously,adjustably movable between a first location and a second location. In asimilar manner, second pressure imparting pad 32 is advantageously,adjustably movable between a third location and a fourth location.

As previously mentioned, strap 16 is preferably about 15 in. in lengthand about 6 in. in width with a centered, generally diamond shaped heelreceiving opening 16 a for receiving the heel of the user. In thepresent form of the invention compression pads 30 and 32 are generallyoval in shape and are preferably constructed from a suitable semirigidelastomeric material. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the first andsecond pressure pads has a central portion 37 of a first thickness and atapered peripheral portion 39 of a second thickness less than the firstthickness. In the present form of the invention pads 30 and 32 arebetween about 1.5 inches and about 2.5 inches in width and about 2.5inches to 3.5 inches in length. As previously mentioned, the position ofthe pads can be strategically adjusted relative to the supporting strapso that each of the pads can be applied directly over theanterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise of the user.

Connector means are provided for releasably interconnecting the firstand second ends of the strap in a manner to cause the first and secondpressure imparting pads to exert a precisely focused pressure on theankle of the user. This focused anterior compression provided by thestrategically positioned compression pads allows for immediate relief ofpain, which emanates from the anterior/medial and anterior/lateralmargins of the ankle. The connector means of the invention here comprisea connector patch 34 that as connected proximate first end 18 of strap16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Connector patch 34 is here provided with a multiplicity of small hooks34 a that are so constructed and arranged to releasably grip the surfaceof the fabric located proximate the second end of the strap in themanner shown in FIG. 6. While connector patch 34 can take several formsit is preferably constructed from a material sold under the name andstyle VELCRO.

In order to permit adjustment of pads 30 and 32 relative to strap 16,first and second pad connector means, or pad connector patches 40 and 42are affixed to strap 16 intermediate its ends in the manner best seen inFIG. 1. While these connector patches can take several forms they arealso preferably constructed from a material sold under the name andstyle VELCRO.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, similar connector patches 44 and 46 areconnected to pads 30 and 32 respectively. Connector patches 44 and 46are here provided with a multiplicity of small hooks which are adaptedto be received within a multiplicity of small loops provided on padconnector patches 40 and 42. With the construction thus described, eachof the patches 30 and 32 can be readily disconnected from connectorpatches 40 and 42 and repositioned relative thereto in the mannerillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. More particularly, as shown in thesefigure drawings, the first and second pressure imparting pads can beadjustably connected to the strap in a manner such that the central axis32 a of said second pad 32 extends at an angle of between about 110degrees and about 150 degrees relative to the central axis 30 a of firstpad 30. As also shown by FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the device is positionedabout the user's ankle in the manner shown in FIG. 6, strategicallyfocused compression is applied to both of the pads at an angle ofbetween about 30° and about 45°.

In using the apparatus of the invention, with the pads 30 and 32positioned relative to the strap 16 so that they can be applied directlyover the user's anterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise, thestrap 16 is next positioned about the foot of the user in the mannershown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In this position, the heel of the useris disposed within the generally diamond-shaped opening 16 a (FIGS. 1and 7). This done, the second end 20 of the strap 16 is wrapped aboutthe user's ankle in the manner shown in FIG. 4 so that the compressionpad 32 is strategically positioned over the ankle mortise M-1. Next, thefirst end 18 of the strap is wrapped about the user's ankle in themanner shown in FIG. 5 so as to bring the compression pad 30 intoposition over the mortise M-2 (FIG. 3). With the compression pad 30 inengagement with the mortise M-2, the connector patch 34 is brought intoengagement with the strap 16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so asto securely affix the apparatus to the ankle of the user with the devicethereby secured about the user's ankle the strategically positionedcompression pads effectively focus pain relieving pressure to the usersankle thereby alleviating the pain and reducing ankle swelling.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

1. An apparatus for attachment to the ankle of a user for treating anklepain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling of the user comprising: (a) astrap having first and second ends, a central portion, a firstintermediate portion located between said first end and said centralportion and a second intermediate portion located between said secondend and said central portion; (b) a first pressure imparting pad havingan exterior surface and a central axis, said first pressure impartingpad being adjustably connected to said strap proximate said firstintermediate portion for movement between a first location and a secondlocation, said central axis of said strap extending at an angle ofbetween about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees relative to said centralaxis of said first pad; (c) a second pressure imparting pad having anexterior surface and a central axis said second pressure imparting padbeing adjustably connected to said strap proximate said secondintermediate portion for movement between a third location and a fourthlocation, said central axis of said strap extending at an angle ofbetween about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees relative to said centralaxis of said second pad; and (d) connector means for releasablyinterconnecting said first and second ends of said strap in a manner toimpart pressure to said pressure imparting pads at an angle of betweenabout 30 degrees and about 45 degrees relative to said exterior surfaceof said pads to cause said first and second pressure imparting pads toexert focused pressure on the anterior ankle of the user.
 2. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said first and second pressureimparting pads are oval in shape.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1in which said first and second pressure imparting pads have a centralportion of a first thickness and a peripheral portion of a secondthickness less than said first thickness.
 4. The apparatus as defined inclaim 1 in which said central portion of said strap is apertured toprovide a heel receiving opening.
 5. An apparatus for attachment to theankle of a user for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankleswelling of the user comprising: (a) a strap having first and secondends, a central portion, a first intermediate portion located betweensaid first end and said central portion and a second intermediateportion located between said second end and said central portion; (b) afirst generally oval-shaped pressure imparting pad having an exteriorsurface, a central axis, a central portion of a first thickness and aperipheral portion of a second thickness less than said first thicknesssaid padding being adjustably connected to said strap proximate saidfirst intermediate portion, said first pressure imparting pad having acentral axis; (c) a second generally oval-shaped pressure imparting padhaving an exterior surface, a central axis, a central portion of a firstthickness and a peripheral portion of a second thickness less than saidfirst thickness and being adjustably connected to said strap proximatesaid second intermediate portion in a manner such that the central axisof said second pad extends at an angle, of between about 110 degrees andabout 150 degrees relative to the central axis of said first pad; and(d) connector means for releasably interconnecting said first and secondends of said strap in a manner to impart pressure to said pressureimparting pads at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 45degrees relative to said exterior surface of said pads to cause saidfirst and second pressure imparting pads to exert pressure on theanterior ankle of the user when said first and second pressure impartingpads are affixed to said strap.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5in which said central portion of said strap is apertured to provide aheel receiving opening.
 7. An apparatus for attachment to the ankle of auser for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling of theuser comprising: (a) a strap having first and second ends, an aperturedcentral portion, a first intermediate portion located between said firstend and said central portion and a second intermediate portion locatedbetween said second end and said central portion; (b) a first generallyoval-shaped pressure imparting pad adjustably connected to said strapproximate said first intermediate portion, said first pressure impartingpad having a central axis and a central portion of a first thickness anda peripheral portion of a second thickness less than said firstthickness; (c) a second generally oval-shaped pressure imparting padhaving a central axis and a central portion of a first thickness and aperipheral portion of a second thickness less than said first thicknessand being adjustably connected to said strap proximate said secondintermediate portion in a manner such that the central axis of saidsecond pad extends an angle, of between about 110 degrees and about 150degrees relative to the central axis of said first pad; and (d)connector means for releasably interconnecting said first and secondends of said strap in a manner to cause said first and second pressureimparting pads to exert pressure on the ankle of the user at an angle ofbetween about 30° and about 45° when said first and second pressureimparting pads are affixed to said strap.
 8. The apparatus as defined inclaim 7 in which said first and second pressure imparting pads have acentral portion of a first thickness and a peripheral portion of asecond thickness less than said first thickness.
 9. The apparatus asdefined in claim 7 in which said connector means comprises a connectorconnected proximate said first end of said strap, said connector havinga multiplicity of hooks for grippingly engaging said strap.